This was a great year for the Michigan Veterinary Conference (MVC). More than 1,100 delegates helped make the conference a success. MSU Veterinary Medical Center team members and students attended and presented some fantastic sessions. A total of 22 presenters from MSU spoke on a wide range of topics.

The 15-minute quick and concise “How I treat…” sessions were extremely popular and offered tips on some of the latest techniques and therapies. Specialists Joshua Gehrke (neurology), Augusta Pelosi (cardiology), and Laura Nelson (soft tissue surgery) each presented three 15-minute topics.  

MSU held eight “Ask the Experts” sessions, where board-certified specialists delivered presentations and hosted question and answer sessions on great topics, including rehabilitation, orthopedics, and equine surgery. We hope to enhance and expand this opportunity at next year’s conference.

The CVM job interviews took place Friday and Saturday at the Radisson Hotel. There were over 40 employers present from around Michigan and over 50 students registered to interview. Our students were interviewed and provided with networking experience, which is a fantastic professional learning opportunity for them.

It was a pleasure to see old faces and meet new colleagues and friends during the conference. The MVC continues to grow in delivering high-quality CE and is always a great way for veterinary professionals in Michigan to connect and reconnect. 

Downtown Lansing’s growth during the last two years means there is a great selection of restaurants and entertainment to enjoy. Our MSU CVM alumni reception definitely benefited from the local cuisine and talent. I hope everyone had a chance to get out and explore our capital city.  

Many delegates provided feedback on sessions during the conference. If you attended Ask the Experts, the MSU reception, or other MSU components of this year’s conference, we invite you to let us know what you thought. Send your feedback to communications@cvm.msu.edu. Also, we invite you to suggest subject matter for MSU sessions, so we can make next year’s conference another hit!

The MSU CVM Class of 1965 reunited for their 50th Reunion last June on campus. The group of alumni and their guests received tours of the College and enjoyed a memorable dinner with some of their former classmates along with current College administration and faculty.

Mike Chaddock (DVM ’73) was awarded the Achievement Award from the Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association (LGVMA) for his dedication to promoting LGBTQ acceptance, inclusion, and leadership within the veterinary community. Chaddock is the associate dean for administration at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and serves on the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. A founding member and vice president of LGVMA, Dr. Chaddock provides mentorship and leadership empowerment for LGBTQ veterinary students, faculty, and staff.

Kurt Dunckel (DVM ’82) was a recipient of the 2015 MSU Distinguished Alumni Award during the 2015 MSU Grand Awards Gala hosted by the MSU Alumni Association. After graduating with his DVM degree in 1982, Dunckel worked in various mixed animal practices before starting his own veterinary practice in 1991 in Davison, Michigan. Since then, he has grown the Dunckel Veterinary Hospital to be a six-veterinarian practice, offering emergency, specialty, and routine veterinary services to his community and beyond. Dunckel has also done advisory work for the animal health divisions of the Fort Dodge, Bayer, and Pfizer companies. Along with being an active member in multiple veterinary associations, Dunckel volunteers in his community with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, serves on the Davison Optimist Club Board of Directors, provides scholarships to Davison, Michigan, graduating high school seniors, and more.

John Dunn (DVM ’03, PHD ’09) received the Bayer-Snoeyenbos New Investigator Award for his research contributions to the field of avian medicine. The award was given during the 2015 meeting for the American Association of Avian Pathologists Inc. in Boston. Dunn is the Veterinary Medical Officer in the Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service.

Meredith Kennedy (DVM ’90) began work in October 2015 on a documentary film project on the Kazakh people in Mongolia who hunt with golden eagles. The film will explore cultural influences on the human-animal bond. Her three-week journey included staying with an eagle hunter and his family outside of Altai village and crossing the Hovd River outside Sagsai Village on the back of a camel. Dr. Kennedy will be filming in Mongolia with fellow MSU CVM alum Dr. Carl Palazzolo (’78) in February and June 2016.

Margo Macpherson (DVM ’90) has been named 2016 vice president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). She will assume the role of AAEP president in 2018. Macpherson serves as tenured professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, where she recently stepped down as chief of the reproduction service after eight years.

Keith Reimann (DVM ’79) has been appointed to the National Institutes of Health Council of Councils. Reimann is a professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and senior director of product discovery at MassBiologics. As a comparative immunologist, Reimann has developed models of infectious disease and transplantation in nonhuman primates.

John Weigelt (DVM ’70) was selected to receive the 2015 Distinguished Service Award from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) for his accomplishments in the field of surgery. This award is the highest honor from the ACS. Weigelt is the Milt & Lidy Lunda/Charles Aprahamian Professor of Trauma Surgery, professor and chief, division of trauma and critical care, and associate dean for quality, Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), Milwaukee. He also is a general surgeon and medical director of clinical quality at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital. After earning his DVM from Michigan State University, Weigelt completed his medical degree at MCW, his internship and residency at UT Southwestern, and his master’s in hospital administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Trevor Zachariah (DVM ’04) achieved board certification in 2013 with the American College of Zoological Medicine. Zachariah is the Director of Veterinary Programs at Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida, and has held that position since 2010.

A. James Spencer (DVM ’41), of Clayton, Michigan, died November 5, 2015. Spencer served as a veterinarian for the state of Michigan prior to his retirement in 1978. Earlier in his career, he practiced in Stockbridge, Michigan. Spencer was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association.

Garth Corrie (DVM ’43), of Big Rapids, Michigan, died August 3, 2015. From 1957 until his retirement in 1981, Corrie worked with the Animal Disease Eradication Division of the USDA, working on animal and poultry disease projects in Michigan, New York, New Jersey, and California. Early in his career, he practiced in the Big Rapids and Stanwood, Michigan, areas and served in the Korean War in the 5th Army Veterinary Service and as a major in the 2nd Veterinary Services. 

Douglas M. Hird (DVM ’46), of Cicero, Indiana, died December 31, 2014. Hird owned and operated a mixed animal practice in Gaylord, Michigan, from 1948 until his retirement. He was a past mayor of Gaylord and was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, Kiwanis Club, and the Gaylord Country Club. After retiring, he spent time in Venice, Florida, and moved to Indiana to be closer to his family.

Charles H. (Hobie) Larson (DVM ’50), of Bellevue, Washington, died December 1, 2015. A diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Larson began his career as a large animal practitioner in DeKalb County, Illinois. After earning his MS degree in pathology at the University of Illinois in 1973, he continued a distinguished career while in laboratory animal medicine at the Loyola University Medical Center, the Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital in Hines, Illinois, and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine until his retirement in 1985. Larson was active in multiple local and state veterinary associations and served in WWII as a pilot in the US Army Air Corps from 1941-1945.

David W. Conway (DVM ’51), of Sun City Center, Florida, died July 28, 2015. Conway owned and operated Conway Animal Hospital in Southgate, Michigan. He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a bomber pilot and served in the North Pacific Theatre. 

James W. Kahl (DVM ’51), of Winona, Minnesota, died June 24, 2015. Kahl established the Kahl Animal Hospital in 1960, treating large and small animals until 1968. He then became Director of Research and Development for the Agricultural Division of Watkins Products, Inc. He semi-retired in 1985 and continued to consult for five years. Kahl was active in his community as a volunteer for the Winona Area Humane Society, serving two partial terms as councilperson on the Winona City Council for the Second Ward and as a lifetime member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Veterinary Medical Association, Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, and Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association. Kahl was an Army Air Corps and Air Force veteran of World War II, attaining the rank of lt. colonel. He was decorated on six occasions for bravery and courageous achievement. 

W. Dale Russell (DVM ’51), of Rockville, Indiana, died April 3, 2015. Russell owned a practice in Rockville, practicing mixed animal medicine until 1988. He continued to work part-time after selling his practice. Russell was a life member of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association and was active in civic life. He served on the Parke County Council for three terms, as vice president of the Association of the Indiana Counties, as past president of both the Parke County Golf Course and Indiana State Senior Golf Association, charter member of the Rockville Elks, and past member of the Rockville Rotary Club.

Lyle E. Trout (DVM ’51), of Lamberton, Minnesota, died July 10, 2015. Trout practiced mostly large animal medicine in Lamberton for more than 35 years. He was a lifetime member of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, Our Saviors Lutheran Church, the American Legion, and a founding member of the Lamberton Lions Club. Trout was also active with the 4-H and FFA in Lamberton. He served in the Navy during World War II, assigned to a Landing Boat Division on board the USS Hyde in the South Pacific.

Joseph L. Sewell (DVM ’55), of Crown Point, Indiana, died May 14, 2015. Sewell practiced mixed animal medicine at Smith Animal Clinic in Crown Point for 55 years. He was a member of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association and helped organize the Calumet Area VMA. 

Robert R. Birr (DVM ’56), of Pulaski, Wisconsin, died April 6, 2015. After earning his veterinary degree in 1956, Birr joined Dr. William Burmeister (DVM ’51) in practice, which later became the Pulaski Veterinary Clinic. He cared for animals and served farmers in the Tri-County area for over 40 years. Birr was a member of the Wisconsin and Northeastern Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Associations.

Charles C. Oldt (DVM ’56), of Grand Rapids, Michigan, died June 1, 2015. Oldt was the founder of Plymouth Road Animal Clinic, a small animal practice located in Grand Rapids. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and son, daughter, and stepson. 

Hermann Bonasch (DVM ’60), of Dublin, California, died July 6, 2015. Bonasch was a small animal veterinarian who practiced at Arroyo Veterinary Clinic in San Lorenzo, California, for over 40 years. He was devoted to his clients, giving up his practice at 80 years old due to his fight with Parkinson’s disease.

Eugene J. Palicke (DVM ’65), of Shelby Township, Michigan, died July 12, 2015. Palicke established the Troy Veterinary Hospital in Troy, Michigan, in 1965, where he practiced small animal medicine until his retirement in 1998. Palicke loved spending time outdoors. He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Linda, three children, and seven grandchildren. 

Richard R. Duhaime (DVM ’76), of Holly, Michigan, died January 13, 2016. Duhaime founded White Lake Veterinary Clinic, now VCA White Lake Animal Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Wendy, sister, brother-in-law, and nephews.

Dennis H. Cadreau (DVM ’78), of East Jordan, Michigan, died August 26, 2015. Cadreau owned and operated House Calls Veterinary Services. He was an award-winning sailor and was in a competitive ski league at Boyne Mountain. Cadreau is survived by his mother, sister, brother-in-law, and nephews.

Joel M. Woolfson (DVM ’80), of Weston, Massachusetts, died September 15, 2015. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, he practiced at Medway Animal Hospital in Medway, Massachusetts, for more than 15 years, focusing on orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. Woolfson was active in his stance against devocalization.

John A. Malark (DVM ’86), of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, died September 6, 2015. A board-certified equine surgeon, Malark owned Edisto Equine Clinic on Yonges Island, South Carolina. Earlier in his career, he was in private practice in Michigan and worked at the Belmont Racetrack in New York. Malark was a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He was a devoted sports enthusiast and Spartan fan. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Carmela M. Malark (DVM ’90), and a son and daughter. 

Pamela L. Chamberlain (DVM ’87), of Gaithersburg, Maryland, died July 1, 2015. Chamberlain began her career in a small, mixed animal practice in Sturgis, Michigan. She then moved to the Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine. While there, she developed expertise in food safety toxicology, achieved the credential of Diplomate, American Board of Toxicology, and a PhD in toxicology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She spent a year at the World Health Organization in Geneva working for the International Program for Chemical Safety and later became associate director for veterinary services at Covance Laboratories. Chamberlain rejoined the FDA to help advance the regulatory science mission of the Office of Counterterrorism and Emerging Threats and served as the Interim Institutional Official for the FDA White Oak Animal Research Program. Her legacy at the FDA includes upholding quality standards for animal research in the fight against animal and human disease. Chamberlain served as the president of the MSU DVM Class of 1987.